My Latest Favorite Snack...

Isn't this just lovely?

It's so simple, just fresh blueberries and good, tangy feta cheese.

Doesn't that seem like an odd combination?  I've been addicted to this since we moved here to 

Grand Haven, Michigan,  Blueberry USA. :)

Anyhow, I encourage you to try this and let me know what you think

Namaste.

Karen

Rainbow Cupcakes!

Rainbow cupcakes!  These are fun and easy to make if you follow a couple of helpful hints!  REALLY!  They look like a mess, but trust me, if I can do this so can anyone!

First: Use a white cake mix, any type will do, but be sure to not add the egg yolks, egg whites only, we're going for bright, vibrant color here.

Second:  

Have on hand 6 small (sandwich size) Ziplock bags..you will mix your batter and colors in these.

OK....Mix your batter according to the directions on the box.  (these are far from gourmet..if you prefer a homemade from scratch recipe, wellthen rock and roll.)...the kids were fine with the box recipe.

Divide, (we just eyeballed it)...your batter into 6 somewhat equal parts and put them into your Ziplock bags. 

Here's your color recipe:

RAINBOW COLOR	DROPS OF FOOD COLORING
Purple	9 red and 6 blue drops
Blue	12 drops
Green	12 drops
Yellow	12 drops
Orange	12 yellow and 4 red drops
Red	18 drops

Add to each ziplock bag and squish with your hands....don't worry, this doesn't effect the batter at all,  I was worried, but it didn't.

Using your scissors, cut a wee corner out of each Ziplock bag.

Squeeze just enough batter to cover the bottoms of your lined cupcake pan....keep adding layers until you have used each color, in rainbow order....be careful not to overfill your cupcakes, as I did a few times...be very gentle here, don't disturb the batter at allll...you will end up with mud cupcakes, not rainbow cupcakes, and that would be tragic.

Bake according to package directions....voila. 

Frost with your choice of frosting, we chose vanilla with sprinkles and they turned out darling.

Have fun with this!  We sure did,  We'll be making these again for sure!

Namaste.

Karen

Back to the studio!

This design has always been my all time favorite.

Since 2008, when I made my very first one, these have been wildly popular...and I never tire of making them...they're just so lovely.  I bet by now I have made several thousand of these, and no two will ever be alike! 

A tiny tree is encapsulated between crystal clear glass with tiny glass cherry blossoms.  I love these!  What do you think?

These are available in my Etsy shop at:

http://www.karmabeads.etsy.com

Welcome Spring!

We are well into the first week of March and these tulips are just so lovely.  Our little cottage by the lake is bright and sundrenched with it's huge windows, a perfect place for these treasures.

Anyone who knows me, knows about my obsession with blue Mason jars!  

This one hangs at an angle on the side of my kitchen cabinet. I wrapped the neck securely with some copper wire, and made a simple loop.  Then, I hung this with a simple screw-in teacup hook.  Super easy and how darling is this!?

I love to put fresh peonies or big pink carnations in there!  :)  

I hope this inspires you to do something similar, sometimes simple is best!

Have a lovely weekend!

_/\_ namaste

Karen

Time to revisit The Ripple Effect. 

In these hurried times, take a minute to just lend a warm smile..you don't

have to do anything monumental.  You may not ever know it, 

but you could actually change or even save a life.

We are FINALLY moved! HOORAY!

As some of you know, Kevin and I made a big decision and decided to move to Lake Michigan.  After much consideration and thought (and love of the beach)...we researched school districts for our son, who will be entering 8th grade, and is a person with Autsim, and we chose to make Grand Haven our new home.  And we love it here.


Our son is a new person at the beach.  For some reason, all signs of Autsim just disappear.  He is relaxed, and is "in the moment" ie: no "zoning",  and is joyous.  Seeing that makes me joyous.  He has been through hell this past couple of years, and deserves only good things.  He was bullied nearly to death in Holt.  So we're letting all of that go, and starting over!  


Yesterday, Matthew and I just rolled around in the sand.  It was overcast and actually a bit chilly, but the sand was warm and Matthew was happy.  He wanted to bring home a ziplock bag of sand.  


So, that's what we did.  When I got this sand home, we sifted through it and found TREASURES!  And that's what inspired my latest listing in my Etsy shop.  I love this!

See the little snail shell in the largest photo?  SO CUTE!  And shells, and moss, and driftwood and seaglass, and seagrass!  LOL!  Fun.




You can view the actual listing here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101131564/silver-mermaid-lake-michigan-sea-glass

Have a lovely day!  And if you find yourself in Grand Haven, Michigan, look us up!  We love the beach!